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Patrick
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TravelerPawtuckaway State Park Campground
Great spot with all types of different campsites.
Tent Camping near Mont Vernon, NH
1 campground with availability this weekend
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The forested hills surrounding Mont Vernon, New Hampshire offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Military Park New Boston Recreation Area, located just 8 miles southwest in New Boston, provides year-round tent campsites in a natural setting with reservable sites. Lost Boys Hideout, situated northwest of Mont Vernon, features walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. For tent campers willing to travel slightly farther, Tully Lake Recreation Area in Royalston, Massachusetts (about 40 miles west) offers highly-rated walk-in tent camping with waterfront access and trail connections.
Tent sites throughout the region typically feature natural surfaces with minimal grading. Most campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between locations. Walk-in tent sites at Lost Boys Hideout and Tully Lake require campers to transport gear from parking areas to their sites, with some locations providing carts for hauling equipment. Cell service is limited at most primitive tent camping areas near Mont Vernon, so downloading maps before arrival is recommended. Campers should verify seasonal availability, as some tent-only campgrounds operate on limited schedules, particularly during winter months when access roads may be unplowed.
The walk-in nature of several tent campgrounds creates a quieter experience compared to drive-up sites. According to reviews, Tully Lake's tent-only policy means "no noise or disturbances from cars entering your camp sites," creating a more peaceful environment. One camper noted that sites at Tully Lake are "spacious" with "not a bad site" among them, though waterfront locations book quickly. The absence of vehicles at campsites also provides added safety for families with children. Primitive tent camping areas typically offer more seclusion and privacy between sites than developed campgrounds. Backcountry tent camping opportunities can be found in nearby state forests, where campers might need to pack in all supplies including water, as facilities are minimal or non-existent.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Mont Vernon (16)
1. Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area
2. Lost Boys Hideout
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $49 - $149 / night
3. Country Barn Motel & Campground
4. Tully Lake Recreation Area (MA) — Tully Lake
"Tully Lake Campground is located in Royalston, MA, which is a northern part of Central Massachusetts, near the New Hampshire border."
"Two tents allowed per site, no alcohol although no one checked. No water or electricity at the sites. You park & walk in but they provide carts. You have to buy firewood from them."
from $40 / night
5. Sweetwater
from $75 - $175 / night
6. HQ Campground — Monadnock State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $140 / night
7. Shady Point Beach & Campgrounds
8. Camp Nihan Education Center
"The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods."
9. Federated Womens Club State Forest
10. Salmon Falls River RV Resort and Family Campground
"Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!! My niece had so much fun! Sites are close together and they are short staffed but other than that a great place!"
Drive Time
- 25 min from Manchester, NH
- 1 hr from Worcester, MA
- 1 hr 8 min from Boston, MA
- 1 hr 39 min from Amherst Center, MA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mont Vernon, NH
8 Photos of 16 Mont Vernon Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Mont Vernon, NH
719 Reviews of 16 Mont Vernon Campgrounds
- k
kevinTravelerSpacious Skies Minute Man
Beautiful place about an hour from Salem Boston and Plymouth. Be careful getting in Sharp Hill coming up and down lots of scrapes on the ground tight navigation through sites lots of beautiful trees.
Nancy W.
LegendWinter Island Park
Basically a parking lot but with great views!
I’m not going to lie this was a little tricky for big rigs to get to, but with lots of patience and skillful driving, it is doable. Salem is an old New England town so there are many narrow streets and some low clearances. Follow the directions on the parks website as they are designed for RVs– don’t use Google Maps unless you are a small camper. Even getting into the park is kind of challenging because of the way the entrance is laid out with the entrance booth and some low hanging trees. This campground is in a municipal park with a marina, beach, a short walking trail, and picnic areas. The campground has different sections and totally different feels to them. We arrived on a weekend and section we were in the section which is in the parking lot of a busy marina. The parking lot was half full which made for navigating our 45’ bus into our site pretty hard.
No sites have fire pits but you can have a fire if you bring your own above ground pit. Tent sites have picnic tables but nothing else. Some sites you can drive to and have a car onsite and others are non-vehicle access sites (11, 17, 18, 25, 26, 27& 38) in which you have to park in a parking lot. Some RV sites have great water views and others are in a back gravel lot. In my opinion, the best RV sites are 12-16(A-D) because they have a water view. Sites 16B-D are a little tricky for big-rigs to get into because of the tight space. Our site (#13) had a slight downhill slope. We pulled in forward so we could have a view of the harbor which meant the utilities (water electric only) were in the front of our site but we were able to reach without an extension cord. We loved watching the action in the harbor. There is a gazebo by the water which we enjoyed siting under and watching boats go in and out of the harbor while it rained.
There is a nice sandy beach onsite which attracts a lot of day use vistors. The grounds are interesting to walk around as the water views are nice and there is an old fort to explore. Nearby town of Salem Willows is(about½ mile away) is a cute old seaside town with restaurants and arcades. They have a Bluebike rental station which is an easy way to get downtown and explore the area if you don’t have a car.
- Nancy W.Legend
Seacoast Camping and RV Resort
Nice Campground, Love the area!
This is a nice, clean, well-maintained campground for RV and tenting. The campground is located on Route 1 which means you are convenient to a lot of things but there is lots of traffic. Half the campground is seasonal/long term campers and the other side is mostly transients. The roads and campsites are fine crushed gravel with nice grassy patios. The campground is very well maintained (the best part being that the mower collects they cut the grass so no clippings get tracked in your camper). There are some mature trees that provide shade but don’t impede navigating in and out of sites or impacting slide outs.
Campsites range from tent with water/electric to RV water/electric and RV full hook-up 50-amp and full hook-up 30-amp. There are three bathhouses on the property (one of which has a dishwashing sink) and laundry. Tent sites 50-55 are in an are set away from RV sites and more private. They are also close to a large bathhouse with multiple toilets and showers. Tent sites 90-100 are across from a large playground which can be quite chaotic, but if you have kids, this is a great spot.
Our site (#147) was a long pull-thru with a descent amount of space between our neighbors. We got about half a dozen over-the-air channels (one being a major network station) and were able to connect with eastern arc satellites with our Dish Satellite. The 50A electric was good as was the water pressure.
The campground does not have much in the way of amenities except for a game room, basketball court, and playground. The game room is pretty cool with lots of arcade-style games, a pool table, foosball, and table tennis. While we were there, they just finished putting in all new playground equipment and enlarged the size making it really big and a hit with the kids in the park. Once convenience is that maintenance picks up garbage at your site (between 8am– 3pm). Unfortunately, people leave them out after hours and animals got into them and scattered garbage everywhere. We've stayed here before and always enjoy being in the area as it is close to the fun cities of Portsmouth and Newburyport.
Devon B.
ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Play Games
The recreation hall was a nice surprise. We had some rainy weather one afternoon and the kids were able to play games while we relaxed for a bit. Saved the day honestly😂
Riley B.ScoutCrow's Nest Campground
Spend A Few Days
We came up looking for a campground where we could actually spend a few days without constantly driving somewhere. Ended up fishing, swimming, walking along the river and exploring the area. The campground gave us plenty to do, but it was also nice having the option to just sit at the campsite and do nothing. Would definitley come back.
- RRachel J.Scout
Crow's Nest Campground
A Longer Stay
We have a big RV and had no trouble getting settled in. Having the full hookups made things super easy, especially for a longer stay.
Myles T.TravelerSpacious Skies French Pond
Gorgeous pond filled with lily pads!
- BBrett N.Scout
Crow's Nest Campground
Really Convenient
Nothing beats sitting by the river after a long day of exploring. We visited a few places around the Lake Sunapee area and this was a really convenient home base.
Guide to Mont Vernon
Tent camping opportunities around Mont Vernon, New Hampshire span across forested hills at elevations between 300-1,000 feet, with seasonal temperature variations affecting site availability. The region averages 45-55 inches of precipitation annually, with summer highs reaching 80°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Many sites require advance preparation due to limited on-site amenities and variable access conditions depending on weather patterns.
What to do
Water activities at Tully Lake: Paddlers can explore the numerous islands and sheltered coves at Tully Lake Recreation Area. One visitor reports, "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax." Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are available directly from the campground.
Hiking at Monadnock State Park: Located about 25 miles west of Mont Vernon, this park offers trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging mountain ascents. The main summit trail gains 1,700 feet in elevation over 2 miles and rewards hikers with 100-mile visibility on clear days.
Explore historic cellar holes: The Federated Womens Club State Forest contains remnants of towns from the 1930s. "You'll find cellar holes throughout, remnants of the towns lost in the 30s to create the reservoir," notes one camper who explored the area's historical remains.
What campers like
Cart-based hauling system: At Tully Lake Recreation Area, campers appreciate the provided carts for transporting gear. "They provide carts to bring your gear to your camp site," explains one reviewer who found this helpful despite the walking distance to some sites.
Vehicle-free camping experience: Many campers value the quiet environment this creates. "No cars at all at the campsites, which was great for peace of mind as our toddler roamed around. It also made for a super quiet stay," notes a parent who appreciated this safety feature.
Environmental education opportunities: Camp Nihan Education Center offers nature-based learning activities. A visitor shared, "The group site is super close to parking and yet the terrain is rugged enough that it always felt like we were really in the woods," making it ideal for teaching children about nature while maintaining convenience.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Download maps before arrival. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here."
Bathroom location considerations: Central facilities may require long walks from some campsites. At Tully Lake, "The bathrooms are located near the entrance to the Park...From some of the sites, this will be a long walk during the night."
Water access varies significantly: Not all waterfront campgrounds offer swimming access at every site. Check specific site descriptions for beach or water entry points when booking. Some sites require advance reservation during peak summer months (May-September).
Tent site amenities fluctuate: The best tent camping near Mont Vernon, New Hampshire may include different amenities depending on location. One camper at Lost Boys Hideout noted, "Nice new tents provided at Sleepy Hollow site. Improvements to the firepit, area all mulched, even some games and water are provided!"
Tips for camping with families
Consider site distance from facilities: For families with young children, choose sites closer to bathrooms. At Tully Lake, one camper advised, "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night."
Look for ranger-led programs: Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area offers scheduled environmental education activities for children. One visitor described it as a "Great Outdoor Place! Nice scenery with fresh air and freedom sunshine!"
Pack entertainment options: Many primitive sites lack built-in activities for children. Bring games, nature identification guides, and exploration tools for kids to use at camp.
Water safety planning: If camping near lakes, bring personal flotation devices as rental options may be limited. Tully Lake provides water access but does not have lifeguards at all swimming areas.
Tips from RVers
Alternative accommodations for non-RV campers: Salmon Falls River RV Resort offers glamping options including yurts for those wanting amenities without an RV. "If you have young kids this place is so fun! Multiple pools, a water slide, high ropes, a jump pad, mini golf and more!!!" shares one visitor.
Consider dedicated tent campgrounds: The best tent camping options near Mont Vernon are typically found at tent-only facilities rather than mixed-use RV parks. These provide more natural settings and quieter environments.
Supply logistics: Unlike RV camping, tent camping near Mont Vernon requires careful planning for water and food storage. Most tent-only sites lack electricity, so plan accordingly with coolers and non-perishable food options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Mont Vernon, NH?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mont Vernon, NH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mont Vernon, NH is Military Park New Boston Air Force Station New Boston Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Mont Vernon, NH?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mont Vernon, NH?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Mont Vernon, NH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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